The Middle East e-commerce market could sustain a third major player after Mohamed Alabbar's Noon.com and Amazon's acquisition of Souq.com, a report claims.

The region is one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in the world but it is starting from a relatively low base, notes the report from BMI Research.

The report forecasts the Middle-East's e-commerce sales volume to rise from a 2016 estimate of $22.3bn to $43.3bn by 2020, of which $19.8bn will come from the UAE.

Economic diversification, improved workplace participation rates and expansion of mobile and wireline broadband will support the market's growth over the next decade, while strong competition wrought by Noon.com and Souq.com/Amazon "only poses upside risks to our outlook", the report says.

However, it adds consolidation of local players is crucial for the growth of Emaar chairman Alabbar's Noon.com.

Related Articles

By 2018, the Middle East e-commerce market will have changed drastically and snapping up small local e-commerce outfits "represents Noon.com's best chance of establishing itself before Amazon can steamroller its way into the region".

The report says: "Despite some headwinds, Noon.com is very likely to become a strong competitor catering to the whole region."